For the artist who thrives on challenges, rejection is not a problem

For the artist who thrives on challenges, rejection is not a problem. The true responsibility of an artist is to put forth their best effort and strive for continual improvement. In the end, that is all one can do. chrisnavarro.com
Columbian Mammoth H-20' Wasakie Museum Worland WY.

Humor is the armor that protects you in life

It is important to keep your sense of humor in all things. Humor is the armor that protects you in life; it is the great lubricant that makes the difficult things easier to bear. So, laugh at yourself and roll with the punches.

Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions.

‘’Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.’’ Mark Twain

Your happiness should not depend on what’s going on in someone else’s head.

Dealing with Criticism

There will always be negative people and haters out there. Your happiness should not depend on what’s going on in someone else’s head. You have no control over that. What matters is how you view yourself and what is going on inside of your own head.

''I SHALL FEAR NO EVIL''

I like to take rejection and make it work for me.

Dealing with Criticism 
I like to take rejection and make it work for me. When someone tells me that I’m not good enough or that I can’t do something, it puts a fire in me and fuels my desire to not only disprove the naysayers, but also to prove that I am capable. Believe me, I don’t like rejection, failure, or looking foolish, but I’m not afraid to take risks. Life is full of challenges, and that is what gives meaning to life. There is little value in easy perfection. Don’t do it because it’s easy; do it because it’s hard.
''RISK'' chrisnavarro.com

Dealing with Criticism

Dealing with Criticism

Just as early man created images on cave walls, we all have an inherent need to express our individuality. One of the reasons that I became an artist was to express who I am and what I believe. But when you open the window of your soul and share your art with others, you expose yourself to criticism, judgment, and rejection. It is difficult not to take criticism personally when you’ve invested so much of yourself in the creation. We all suffer setbacks from time to time; it is the way we react to those setbacks that matters. ''GET BACK ON''

The creation of monuments is extremely time-consuming and labor intensive.

The creation of monuments is extremely time-consuming and labor intensive. Spending hours on ladders and scaffolding is physically demanding, but the labor gives me great personal satisfaction. It’s also mentally challenging, requiring an initial design and the creation of a clay model. To cast my clay models in bronze, I prefer the lost wax method, the process by which a duplicate metal sculpture is cast from an original sculpture. I know that if I have a tool in my hand and I invest enough time and effort, no project or idea will be too big, and I will get it done. The best feeling as an artist comes when you put everything you have into something difficult and you finish it, completely spent.

Creating art has always made me feel part of something larger than myself

Creating art has always made me feel part of something larger than myself. I have created much of what is known as “western art.” I’ve been a horseman and cowboy all my life, and western art is a natural extension of my passion for that way of life. However, I have created many inspirational and spiritual works that do not fall into the western art genre. In creating sculpture, I do not put limits on myself or the subject matter. I do what excites and challenges me, and that is one of the reasons I love doing public monumental sculptures. 

People will identify more with art if the story is a powerful.

My sculptures tell a story by using composition, design, movement, and line. These stories include relationships and interactions with people, animals, and landscapes. Irony, humor, conflict, and resolution are all crucial elements woven into the sculpture’s narrative. People will identify more with art if the story is a powerful. Creating a strong title is important, as it helps to enhance the story of the sculpture. I sometimes think of the title first, because it provides me with a concrete image. The sculpture, then, becomes a representation of that title. Here are 2 sculptures I had the title before the design. IF YOU WANT TO SEE A RAINBOW YOU GOT TO STAND A LITTLE RAIN'' and WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND.

I have never considered myself a self-taught artist; I am a self-educated artist.

From the very beginning, I had to find the path on my own, but I have never considered myself a self-taught artist; I am a self-educated artist. I have learned from the books I have read and the experiences and mistakes I’ve made. I do not believe that we’re born with a limited amount of talent, knowledge, or ability. Talent and knowledge can expand and grow. I have never allowed my lack of talent or knowledge stop me from doing what I believe to be meaningful. Art is more the product of a commitment made by ordinary people than it is the product of unique talent possessed by only a chosen few.

We begin life with unlimited potential.

We begin life with unlimited potential. Every child is an artist. If you want to see a group of artists, get a bunch of 4-year-old kids together, spread out some crayons and paper, and then sit back and watch them create. Children have no fears or preconceived concepts about art. They understand “fun,” so they enjoy art for the pure and simple pleasure of experiencing it. Unfortunately, many people lose their sense of play as they grow older. They worry too much about what others think and seek the approval of their peers to validate what they’re doing. As I have grown older, I realize the most important approval is my own.

Caring about the work you do is the single best indicator that others will care about it, too.

Caring about the work you do is the single best indicator that others will care about it, too. I know what is in my heart is no different than what is in your heart. If you believe that other people are like you, then you hold the key to making art that matters. Image ''RING OF PEACE'' height 19'
THE RING OF PEACE 
If you believe in hope 
And the need for peace,
Step up and ring the bell,
So it will sing
For the promise of tomorrow.

Love is an emotion that you can't fake, and you cannot be great at anything without loving it.

Believe me, there are no overnight successes in the art world. The notion of the right gallery or art agent “discovering” you and paving the way to your artistic success is a myth. Building your art career is a lifelong struggle. If you want to be great at something, you need to put time in the studio with the materials in your hands. It is accomplished through dedication, hard work, and a love for what you are doing. Love is an emotion that you can't fake, and you cannot be great at anything without loving it.

I know what it is like to have a dream and you’re the only one who can see it.

I know what it is like to have a dream and you’re the only one who can see it. Having been a professional artist for over 32 years, I would like to share my thoughts and experiences that have helped me in my pursuit of making a living doing something I love. I do not claim to know all the answers, but I will gladly share what I’ve learned with those who wish to make a similar journey. If you find any merit or value in what I write that might help someone else, please share with others.
My mindset creating art or rodeoing is I try to do the best I can when I do anything and that is really all I can do. I want to relax into whatever challenge is in front of me and give it all I have and not over think it. I always want my results and work to be better than they are but when I give all I have I can do no more and make peace with the effort. Because in the end I have no control over natural talent and ability, only with my time and effort. 

The secret and challenge to being an artist is that you have to make art, and lots of it.

In 1985 I moved my studio out of the second bedroom when the kids started to arrive. I built a 12’x24’ shop close to the house and went to work in that little studio every day. I put in the time and became more skilled with each piece that I created. I was learning by doing. The secret and challenge to being an artist is that you have to make art, and lots of it, because there are no shortcuts. It’s about commitment, day by day, year after year. Your mastery of a craft is directly proportional to the sheer number of hours you spend in the effort.

I want to share some stories how I became an artist

I want to share some stories how I became an artist.In April of 1980 I traveled to Cody,WY to pick up my first bronze sculpture. It was a bull rider I titled ‘’SPINING AND WINNING’’ I was as excited as a young kid on Christmas morning when I held my first bronze sculpture in my hands. I wasn't sure what to do next, when Bucky Hall, the owner of Caleco Foundry, told me he thought the bronze was good for my first effort and that I should let him enter it in the Cody Chamber Art Show. I had never entered an art show before. Bucky told me he would take care of it and put it in the amateur sculpture division. Much to my surprise, I won first place and $15. That 15 bucks is long gone, but I still have the blue ribbon hanging in my studio. I remember how good it felt to win that first ribbon. It gave me a bit of validation, and I thought, “I'm on to something here; this is what I want to do with the rest of my life.” I was going to do whatever it took to become a professional bronze sculptor.

I had been sculpting for a couple of years and was still working in the oilfield.

I had been sculpting for a couple of years and was still working in the oilfield when I decided it was time to move my career along by getting into a big-time art gallery (or, for that matter, any gallery) that would handle my work. Lynne and I loaded up my bronze sculptures and drove to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. After scoping out all the art galleries in town, I made a list of what I thought were the very best. Standing outside the first gallery, I tried my best not to be nervous, even though I was. “The worst thing they can do is tell me ‘No,'” I said to myself. So, with my portfolio in hand, I went in and asked to speak to the director. After showing him images of my work, he politely told me they were not accepting new artists at that time. The next gallery owner said, “I'll be honest with you. I’m looking to represent artists who are already made.” I thanked the owner for being upfront with me and went on to the next gallery on my list. They also said, “No.” I started thinking that this was going to be a little tougher than I had expected. I was further declined at the fourth and fifth galleries. When one director wished me “good luck,” I said, “Thanks, but if you want luck, sometimes you have to go out and make it.” Feeling dejected, I returned to the car, where Lynne had been waiting. I told her that even though I was doing my best artwork, I realized that it wasn't quite good enough to show in these galleries. Being brutally honest is difficult, but I resolved then and there to go home, study, and work harder to become a better artist. chrisnavarro.com

(The sculptures pictured are the ones I showed when I tried to get galleries to handle my work)

I received word that I will be honored this year as the distinguished Alumni of Casper College.

I received word that I will be honored this year as the distinguished Alumni of Casper College. I attended CC in 1974-76. When I was 18 I drove from San Antonio, TX to Casper WY in an old Plymouth I bought for $250. With everything I owned in the trunk. I had never been to and did not know one person who lived in Wyoming. I was going to college but what I really wanted was to be a bull rider.  I love Wyoming and have made my home in Casper ever since. It is hard to believe it has been 44 years now and it was Casper College that brought me to Wy. I feel very blessed to have 2 of my monumental sculptures on CC campus ESSENCE OF REX and SPIRIT OF THE THUNDERBIRD and so thankful to make a living doing what I love and for my family and friends on this great journey through life!  chrisnavarro.com